Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Seize the Day

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers. The ones who see things differently- they're not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things ...They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." -Jack Kerouac

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…Last night, one of my dearest friends said to me, “Each day is a new opportunity to reinvent yourself.”

I love that.I love the simple, yet bold truth in that statement.Because each day truly is a new opportunity.It is an opportunity to start anew.To persevere.To change.To reinvent yourself.To revolutionize your life.To leave your mark on the world.

...How many times have you put something off until tomorrow?How many times have you said you would start “later”?And how many times have you postponed “later”, or not gotten around to whatever it was that you have been meaning to get around to?Has there ever been a time where you said to yourself that you would make a change “once things settle down…” or “after I am through with this…”?Has there ever been a time where you told yourself that you were too busy, too stressed, or spread out too thin to commit yourself to something meaningful?

If any of these statements sound familiar to you, you certainly are not alone.Every one of us has procrastinated at some point.Every one of us has felt that we have too much going on to take on something new.And there are definitely times when these statements are valid.

But what about when we allow these statements, these beliefs about our selves and our lives, to prevent us from creating the life of our dreams?What about when these statements are not the truth, but are instead excuses not to reinvent who we are?

Take a moment and reflect on that thought.Have you ever told yourself “not now” when you really meant “I’m scared”?Have you ever failed to try because you were afraid to fail?Have you ever impeded your own progress in life because the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty, the risk involved was just too daunting?Have you ever fell into the trap of inactivity because you were overwhelmed by the work involved in pursuing your dreams? Have you ever waited for things to improve rather than improving them yourself? Have you ever settled for complacency when something better was calling your name?

Have you ever considered that the only thing truly standing in your way is you?

...It is natural to feel scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain when we are faced with change.It is natural to encounter obstacles, twists, turns, and difficult terrain in this journey called life.It is natural to be faced with decisions, to take new directions. Just as it is quite natural to change, evolve, and progress through life.

So think now, for just a moment, about how exciting, how empowering it would feel to take matters into your own hands.How confident, brave, and inspired you would feel as you took the road less traveled by.Imagine the validation you would feel, the insight and knowledge you would gain, the experiences you would revel in as you pursued your dreams.Imagine what your life would look like, just who you would be, if you took the opportunity presented by each new day to make a difference.

My courageous birds, your day has come!As the sun rises each morning, take the opportunity to spread your wings just a little bit wider.Soar that much higher.Wrap your wings around each day, seize it, and make it yours.Open your heart and your mind to the possibility that each new day brings.Reinvent yourself.Create the life of your dreams.